02 4.6is heated seat smell

[x5Alpine]

My 02 x5 4.6is has a problem with the drivers heated seat. everytime I turn it on it starts to smell like something is burning. What could it be?? there aren't any burn holes in the leather....yet

[TerminatorX5]

like you said - yet... try to feel a HOT spot when the heater is on...

do you have a fire extinguisher in the car?

[jgold47]

I had a grand Cherokee with an inop seat heater. I got bold and yanked the cover off the seat only to find that the wire had burned a small divot in the foam and the wire burned apart. I repaired the wire, and the seat worked fine, but it was spooky how it burned.

the seat heater works on a resistance principal, much like an electric stove. so if the heating element has gone bad, or is starting to go bad, and the resistance is too great, it will overheat.

I bet someone with a Bentley can tell you the correct resistance for the element and you can measure with a multi meter at the harness connector.

[kevinkay]

Mine burt a hole through the vinyl while the car was still under warranty. My seats are vinyl and the heating pad is woven into the seat cover so its not just a heating pad to replace.

[Qsilver7]

If you pick up a burning smell...please refrain from using the seat heaters. There are many examples of BMW heated seats catching fire.

See to getting the issue resolved before using the heating feature:

Click link to see 3 pics of seat burning thru to suit pants, then burnt owners leg: Bimmerfest - BMW Forums - View Single Post - Heated seats burn thru!

[x5Alpine]

How much would it cost to replace the bottom cushion because I know the 4.6is has a different type of leather than the 3.0i/4.4i?

[pezho405]

Originally Posted by x5Alpine

How much would it cost to replace the bottom cushion because I know the 4.6is has a different type of leather than the 3.0i/4.4i?

Qsilvers last pic is the SAME exact spot on my seat except other side.

Same story started burning smell, then butt got hot, now i have a hole.

Not sure about proce of replacement yet, however what i want to do in the meantime and havent gotten to it yet is just disconnect the bottom coushin, and use just the seat back heat

[alinvictor]

I'm in the same boat... Driver side seat I got a hole and my pants got on fire...lol Any chance bmw will replace this free of charge being that my extended waranty expired 2.5 years ago? I have an 04 3.0

Thanks,
Al

[Ricky Bobby]

Lol no chance it will be replaced free of charge.

[northfork]

I have the same problem and found this DIY while searching for a solution.

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...ement-diy.html